It may sound weird, but I’m going to miss some aspects of being a camper. Well, given the choice I would rather be just about anywhere else. Why we have camps and what role they play in serving justice is something I will be writing and talking about extensively when I leave here. I would have never believed it until I lived it and I think the American people are grossly misinformed. I could list the many negatives but to be honest with you, there are positives. Free movement and not being in a cage would top that list. Campers, unlike those who are in higher security level facility’s sleep in dorms not cells with bars, can go anywhere on campus and can do pretty much whatever they want whenever they want. Pool, ping pong, horse shoes, etc.. Even the employee’s call us campers. This is a blessing for some and a curse for others who need a little more structure and accountability then what is offered in my opinion. Overall, camps serve no practical purpose and are a giant waste of tax payer dollars. There is a better way and again I will be writing about that extensively when I leave. For now, I want to share about a fellow camper who really should not be here. His name is Gilbert who is 58 years old and started at a higher security level and worked his way down to a camp. He got hit with a minimum mandatory sentence during the failed war on drugs and has been down for 20 years. (down is jail speak for incarcerated) If arrested today for the same offence he would have received 3 to 5 years. The toll taken on his health and the fact he has a minimum recidivism level and is a non violent offender with a perfect disciplinary record while incarcerated screams that he should be released immediately. I spoke with him the other day and he hopes to be go home sometime next year. Most likely he will go on social security disability due to his health issues that occurred while under the watch of the BOP. A large percentage of his adult life was taken away that cost tax payers about $1,000,000 plus for the years that he has been down. He should have served a fair sentence and then working, paying taxes and being a contributing member of society. Prisons should be for violent offenders who harm others not for petty thief’s and low level non violent drug dealers. The system needs to change to a rehabilitation community based model. Big Pharma has flooded our country with drugs, made billions of dollars in profits and steered many down the road to addition. TD Bank was recently charged with knowingly laundering over 3 billion dollars and not one executive or even a branch manger was charged. Instead they paid a civil penalty and continue business as usual. We handcuff minnows and let the whales swim away. America would be better served with a total revamping of the justice system starting with the camps. Lets roll up our sleeves while hoping and praying that change will come soon.
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